Irishman Steven O'Brien, who was jailed in New York for the fatal assault of Longford native Danny McGee, has been released early from prison.

It is understood the 26-year-old Dubliner's release is linked to the Covid-19 outbreak in New York. 

Mr O’Brien, with an address at 42nd Street, Queens, New York, was sentenced to six months in prison and began his jail term on 8 January.

He has now been released, as authorities in New York attempt to reduce the prison population because of the coronavirus outbreak. 

Hundreds of prisoners are being let out early in a bid to stop the spread of the virus in the New York jail system. 

Those being released are typically serving less than year-long sentences with just a few weeks or months left to serve. 

Danny McGee’s mother Colleen told RTÉ News that she was aware of Mr O’Brien’s release, and expressed her disappointment.

Mr O’Brien’s lawyer, Matthew Gartenberg, confirmed that his client had been freed.

"Steven has been released and is now starting a new chapter in his life," he said. 

21-year-old Danny McGee died after being punched outside a pub in Queens in 2018.

Steven O’Brien pleaded guilty to the assault in November and his six-month sentence was agreed as part of a plea deal.

Mr McGee, from Drumlish, Co Longford, was found lying unresponsive on the ground outside The Gaslight bar in Queens shortly before 4am on 22 November, Thanksgiving Day, in 2018.

He was taken to hospital but later pronounced dead.

The cause of his death was determined to be a blunt impact injury to the head.

Prosecutors said Steven O'Brien punched Mr McGee once to the side of the head after the two men became engaged in a verbal row.